Distress

There are times in our lives that day-to-day concerns sink under the weight of global events. We watch in disbelief and hang our heads in disappointment. Sometimes we even shed a tear…we feel helpless and forlorn. We hang our personal flags upside down as a sign of distress.

For those of us born outside of the United States of America and without the franchise to vote for the leader of the “free” world, this despair runs deep. We’ve watched helpless as a dubious businessman and reality TV star descended an escalator to announce his candidacy for the President of the United States. We laughed. When he said he wanted to build a wall, we rolled our eyes. When he encouraged violence towards protesters, we were shocked. Surely this would destroy his reputation? It didn’t. He continued his rhetoric of hate…his doctrine of xenophobia. When it was thoroughly confirmed that he was a misogynistic megalomaniac, people still supported him.

Despite losing the popular vote by a significant margin, he was elected in as President of the United States. The world recoiled in shock. This man is really not right in his head—he is not all there. With his little hands on the nuclear codes, we are petrified. With the power and desire to further destroy the environment, we are terrified. We are heading into the stormy seas at night with a mentally inept man at the helm of the world. We don’t know which direction we are heading….

We will raise our flag, but we will be vigilant. We will continue to fight back. We will look out for our neighbours. We will use our voices to speak out for the environment and Indigenous rights. We the people will not go gentle into that good night….“Distress” is a limited edition print using the giclée method of printmaking. This print was released in January of 2017 and printed by Andy Everson at the artist’s own studio in Comox B.C. A total of 32 prints bear the title “Distress” and are signed by Andy Everson: 20 in the primary edition bearing the numbers 1/20 through 20/20; 4 Artist’s Proofs; 4 Remarques, 2 Special Edition Canvas Proofs and 2 Printer’s Proofs. The acid-free 100% cotton rag paper measures about 17x22 inches. Image size measures about 12.65x19 inches on the paper editions.